Happy Birthday Chrissi......

Tomorrow is this beautiful ladies birthday. What can I say? She has given me one of the most selfless and incredible gifts in the world. A wonderful grandson. That little boy is one of the sweetest boys I have ever known, and I know I owe it all to Chrissi. He is loving, caring and very thoughtful, as is his mommy. When people ask about Jack, I can't say enough about what a wonderful job Chrissi is doing raising such an incredible boy. I know he is being raised with values, love, tenderness and consideration as to what kind of man she expects him to be. One of worth. A one in a million. During Thanksgiving I was able to tell Chrissi what a good job she is doing. I know it isn't easy being a mom, especially in these economically difficult times. She has a wonderful support system at home with Kevin and I have never once worried about Jack or how he is being taken care of. I know Chrissi puts herself last. I have seen it first hand. Jack is always taken care of first. So Chrissi, I wish I were there so I could steal Jack away tomorrow on your birthday so you could have a day of complete Chrissi with no other distractions, but I can't be there tomorrow. Please know, you are in my thoughts everyday, you are in my heart with nothing but love and admiration. Thank you for being you and I am so blessed that you are a part of my life, now and forever. You have given me my first grandchild and for that I feel truly honored. I do understand that things could be much different than they are, and I know that you have given to us the greatest gift of all, a part in our grandson's life, no strings attached. You are a beautiful woman, inside and out, and for that I will always love you and honor you. Thank you so much and have a wonderful birthday tomorrow.

On the Mend........

I still feel horrible, thank god for Dayquil, I am sure I had the flu but I think I slept through the worst of it yesterday, thank you Nyquil. Jack has been hanging out and playing today and we have been having lots of fun, it sure is nice to see him and Chrissi again.

On my life's list I wrote to repair rather than replace... So today I put a button on a pair of Jay's shorts, stitched a pair of my pants that had a hole in them, fixed a hole in a pillow and replaced all the buttons on my cardigan because it lost one and I couldn't find one to match.....it looks much cooler now anyways with it's small metal buttons with filigree on them, much more.......me. As for beginning my book, I have 100 times in my head, but haven't had any distraction free time to actually sit and do it. I do have my character journal started.......I will get there, my first chapter has played out over and over in my head. Soon it will be on paper.

Mmmm TOO MUCH FOOD!

I'm still full.

Not kidding, we need to get up now that we hear movement in the house.  Yesterday Stevi and I went shopping to make dinner and we marinaded 4 lbs. of strip steak in Worchestshire sauce with green onions, lemon zest and rock salt with pepper, roasted potatoes in olive oil , salt and pepper and fresh rosemary, thyme and sage, sauteed asparagus in butter with salt and pepper and then shredded Gouda cheese on top.

Before that, Jack helped me start dessert in the ice cream maker, Stevi chose peanut butter ice cream which is made with heavy and light whipping cream, sugar and creamy peanut butter.  It was, as Pippa would say..."The best ice cream 

I have had in my entire life!"  See her jumping for joy in the picture?

  For the ice cream party we sliced bananas, had chopped nuts, chocolate chips, chocolate syrup, whipped cream and chocolate dipped cones as well as waffle bowls.  It was fantastic, as Stevi and I brought Jack for his evening wagon ride, I guess the topic of conversation at the house was when are they getting an ice cream maker.  It makes for a fun evening and there is no ice cream like

 home made ice cream.  Time to get up and walk the 3 miles to get coffee, I need to walk off dinner from last night!